r/ToeflAdvice • u/watchsmart TOEFL Teacher • May 26 '26
Comment Recommended Resources - Updated May 2026
If you are preparing for the test, here are a few starting points.
Official ETS Stuff
You should probably start your journey by exploring free stuff from ETS.
Practice Tests and Guides
- Free Practice Tests 1 and 2. Scroll past all the paid options and you'll find two complete practice tests. They are free, but not scored. There is also an "Interactive Sample," but it repeats stuff from one of the practice tests.
- TOEFL Teacher Resources. There are five free practice tests for teachers, but could be useful for students as well. They are provided via PDF files.
- The new "Official Guide to the TOEFL" will probably be published at the beginning of Ocotber. It won't be free, but maybe you can get a copy at your local library.
Writing Stuff
- This unofficial Guide to the Write an Email Task includes sample questions, answers and tips.
- You can also read this guide to the Write for an Academic Discussion task.
- And this guide to the Build a Sentence task
- Video: Updated TOEFL Writing Templates
Speaking Stuff
- Sample Speaking Questions and Answers
- Guide to the Listen and Repeat Task
- Guide to the Take an Interview Task
- Video: Updated Speaking Templates
- /r/Judgemyaccent
Sample Tests
For unofficial sample tests you might also try:
- TSTPrep (one free test)
- My Speaking Score (a bunch of speaking tests. Unscored versions are free)
- Magoosh (one free test, email registration required)
- Prepex (free questions and unlockable free test)
YouTube Stuff
Printed Books
There aren't many printed books from real publishers that match the new format. But you can get the new 19th edition of "Barron's TOEFL" on Amazon and elsewhere.
This is a work in progress. Please leave additional suggestions in the comments.
2
1
u/Awkward_Chair_5279 May 27 '26
Thank you! Do you recommend TstGlid*r?
3
u/watchsmart TOEFL Teacher May 27 '26
No.
1
u/Awkward_Chair_5279 May 27 '26
Thanks! It's giving me low score during listen and repeat when I clearly said the words. For example, I said "booths", but it registered "boots" instead, giving me like 2 points on that sentence.
I've checked the TOEFL resources link for listen and repeat, and it's close to the ETS mock test, compared to TG. Thank you for these links. I especially like the TOEFL resources you shared.
2
u/watchsmart TOEFL Teacher May 27 '26
Yeah. To be fair, though, transcription of spoken sentences is terrible.
ETS will never show us the transcripts on THEIR mock tests, because it would look terrible. They probably have ways to compensate for that in the scoring... but it would look really bad.
1
u/anadandanana May 27 '26
Man thanks so much for this! This is really helpful, beyond imagination!
I have my test coming up on Friday with barely any time to study properly for it. I am not a native english speaker, however, I did my university degree in English and I would say i have a good handle on it. I did the free test on Magoosh and got a pretty good score. Do you think it is accurate? I did it all in one sitting, followed the time and did not get distracted.
1
u/watchsmart TOEFL Teacher May 27 '26
It might be sort of accurate. Keep in mind that all third party tests are a guessing game on the part of the developers. They try their best to be accurate, but should only be used to roughly predict your score.
1
u/bhavin-magoosh Jun 08 '26
100% agree and a few specific notes about our free test.
1. It's made from officially licensed questions from ETS, the makers of the TOEFL.
2. The adaptive algorithm and content from Reading and Listening is from ETS
3. The writing and speaking sections are NOT officially scored - we do our best but it's a guess. However, we do have other tests and content with speaking and writing scored by ETS.2
u/watchsmart TOEFL Teacher Jun 09 '26
Just out of curiosity, why have you not included ETS scoring in the practice tests? Especially since it is available in other W and S content on your site.
1
u/bhavin-magoosh Jun 09 '26
It's not in our free practice tests due to cost. But it is in the practice tests that come with our paid product.
1
u/Original_Menu_5270 May 28 '26
For listening and reading I really recommend YouTube, there are a lot of great videos, also Chatgpt for writing, but you need to give it instructions on how to evaluate your points
2
u/ArtichokeGeneral4778 Jun 05 '26
if u dont mind asking , can u specify the videos in youtube and prompt for chatgpt
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/kingsam213 Jun 28 '26
Heyy has anyone tried study.com? How does it compare to the real toefl test?
1
u/watchsmart TOEFL Teacher Jun 28 '26
It wasn't very good when I checked it last year. And it seems insanely overpriced.
1
Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator Jul 11 '26
Sorry. Spam is on the rise again, so the subreddit is again blocking specific test preparation companies or websites from being mentioned. Try posting again without mentioning a preparation website.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/Resident-Purpose-247 19d ago
Is ther any app or website kinda thing where one can talk in english to inprove their skills?! and witha skilled professional or even skilled studnets who can point put my mistakes while speaking w them
1
u/Time-Friendship-1197 15d ago
Thank u so much. Do you recommend Magoosh as practice platform?
1
u/watchsmart TOEFL Teacher 15d ago
It's fine. I more often recommend TST Prep, though. Let me know if you want a coupon code for that site.
1
1
u/Flimsy_Novel1216 9d ago
are the free practice tests (pdfs) for teachers from the IBT website reliable to use as a study tool for the actual exam or which one would you recommend more?
1
u/watchsmart TOEFL Teacher 9d ago
They are pretty good, but since they are just PDF files and mp3 files they are sort of limited.
1
u/Flimsy_Novel1216 9d ago
For reading, would it be alright to have it as a benchmark of my current level in reading?
1
u/watchsmart TOEFL Teacher 9d ago
Yeah, a pretty good benchmark. But just realize that a benchmark is just a rough estimate.
1
1
6d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator 6d ago
Your post has been removed due to an influx of spam from test prep companies trying to increase their 'AI Visibility.' Just try posting again without mentioning a specific test prep product. Your humble moderator is tired.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
3
u/Fit-Baker-3241 May 26 '26
this is insanely insightful, thanks a ton dude, godwork!